The Talus bone is a key bone in the ankle joint that connects the foot to the leg. When broken, it can create significant loss of function in your ankle. This type of fracture is usually caused by high impact injuries such as car and motorcycle accidents, and falls from significant heights. Talus fractures can also occur due to high-impact sports injuries as well. For instance, many snowboarders break their talus bones. Sometimes, talus fractures occur due to twisting your ankle, which can result in small chips breaking off the edges of your talus. Talus fractures cause severe ankle pain, swelling, difficulty walking, an inability to place weight on the foot, bruising, tenderness, and sometimes fracture blisters on the skin.
Does a fractured talus require surgery?
Treatment usually requires surgery, and the recovery process can take months. The decision to perform surgery for a fractured talus depends on factors such as the type, severity, and stability of the fracture, as well as the patient's overall condition. While not all talus fractures require surgery, displaced or unstable fractures often do. Surgical treatment aims to realign the fractured bone fragments and stabilize the joint using techniques like open reduction and internal fixation or minimally invasive procedures such as arthroscopy. Consulting with an orthopedic specialist is crucial to determine the most appropriate treatment approach, whether surgical or non-surgical, based on the individual case.
What is the function of the talus bone?
The talus joins with your tibia and fibula (lower leg bones) to form your ankle joint. This joint allows for the up and down movement of your foot. Your talus sits above your heel bone (calcaneus), forming your subtalar joint. This joint allows for the side-to-side movement of your foot. The talus helps transfer weight across your ankle joint and is mostly covered in cartilage. Cartilage is a slippery material that allows your bones to move smoothly against each other. A talus fracture can cause a significant loss of motion and function because of how important it is for ankle movement.
What are the classification of talus fractures?
Talus fractures are classified by how much the pieces of bone have moved out of their normal position. These classifications include:
- Minimally displaced or stable: The talus bone is only slightly out of place and the broken ends of your bones still line up correctly or almost correctly.
- Displaced: The talus bone breaks, and the pieces move out of their normal position.
- Open or compound: The talus bone breaks through your skin. The surrounding muscles, tendons and ligaments may be affected as well.
Are talus stress fractures common?
Talus fractures are relatively rare and can be challenging to diagnose and treat due to the complex anatomy and blood supply of the talus. Diagnosis of a talus fracture typically involves a combination of medical history assessment, physical examination, and imaging studies. Your healthcare provider will examine your ankle and foot, looking for swelling, bruises and cuts and may:
- Ask you to move your toes, checking for nerve damage.
- Check the pulses in your foot, to ensure a good blood supply.
- Make sure fluid isn’t building up in the muscles of your leg (called compartment syndrome), which can result in a loss of feeling and function in your leg.
- Examine you for other injuries, depending on the cause of your injury.
- Will inquire about the circumstances surrounding the injury
- Will order the necessary imaging tests.
Can you see a talus fracture on an X-ray?
X-rays are usually the initial imaging study performed, which, in many cases, can reveal fractures, if the bone fragments are in place and can show how many bone fragments there are. However, if the fracture is not evident on X-rays or if further details are needed, additional imaging tests such as a computed tomography (CT) scan, which can show the severity of the injury by producing a cross-sectional image of your foot. A magnetic resonance image (MRI) may also be ordered.
What is the best treatment for talus fracture?
First, you’ll probably be placed in a splint to keep your foot and ankle from moving. If your fracture is stable and your joints are well-aligned, surgery may not be necessary; but for most talus fractures, ankle surgery will be recommended because of the high-impact force that caused the injury.
Treatment options for talus fractures depend on various factors, including the type and severity of the fracture, the patient's age and overall health, and any associated injuries.
Can a fractured talus heal without surgery?
Non-displaced or minimally displaced fractures may be managed with conservative treatment methods to allow the bone to heal naturally. Your healthcare provider may recommend:
- Casting. A cast holds together the bones in your foot and ankle while they heal. Typically, you’ll have to wear the cast for six to eight weeks and put minimal pressure on your foot.
- Rehabilitation. After the cast is removed, you’ll be given exercises to help restore the strength and function of your foot and ankle.
When does a fractured talus need surgery?
Displaced fractures or fractures involving multiple parts of the talus often require surgical intervention. If your bone is broken into several pieces, surgical treatment typically involves realigning the fractured bone fragments and stabilizing them with screws, plates, or other fixation devices. This is called an open reduction and internal fixation (ORIF). In some cases, if the blood supply to the talus is compromised, a procedure called vascularized bone grafting may be necessary to promote healing and prevent avascular necrosis (death of bone tissue due to inadequate blood supply).
If there’s too much swelling, your surgeon may place you in an external fixator. With an external fixator, your surgeon will place large pins in your bones to hold them in place. The pins are visible from the outside of your skin and are held together with special bars. After the swelling goes down, your surgeon may try an ORIF again.
What happens after talus fracture surgery?
After surgery, your healthcare provider can prescribe medication to help with any pain. Once your talus bone is healed, your healthcare provider will most probably recommend rehabilitation or physical therapy to help improve the function of your ankle. Exercises can help with your range of motion, stability and strength in your foot and ankle.
Can you wear a boot for a talus fracture?
When you start walking again, you may have to wear a special boot or use a cane. You won’t be able to put full weight on your foot for a few months. You should discuss with your doctor what activities you will be able to resume; and before you go back to work, your healthcare provider will want to take X-rays to make sure the bone has healed properly.
What complications can arise?
Complications of an untreated talus fracture or a talus fracture that doesn’t heal properly can be serious. It can lead to posttraumatic arthritis, affecting the cartilage around the injured area. The fractured bone can heal in an abnormal position, leading to long-term problems, such as difficulty walking. You can develop a nonunion condition in which the fractured bone does not heal at all or only partially. You can develop avascular necrosis or osteonecrosis wherein the blood supply to your talus bone can be interrupted due to the fracture. Without adequate blood supply, your bone cells die and can lead to the collapse of the bone.
The outlook for talus fractures can vary depending on several factors, including the age and medical history of the injured person, the specific fracture pattern, the extent of displacement, any associated injuries, and the effectiveness of treatment. Talus fractures are generally serious injuries that require prompt and appropriate treatment. Complications such as avascular necrosis, post-traumatic arthritis, or chronic pain can occur, especially in more severe fractures. Rehabilitation and physical therapy are crucial for restoring strength, range of motion, and function in the ankle joint following treatment.
It's important to consult with an orthopedic specialist for an accurate diagnosis, appropriate treatment options, and personalized guidance regarding the outlook for an individual talus fracture case.
To learn more about other common foot and ankle problems click here.
